Local fatal wrecks up this year

Monday

Dec 31, 2012 at 10:49 AM

Slightly more motorists died in crashes this year than last year in Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes, State Police records show.

Matthew AlbrightStaff Writer

Slightly more motorists died in crashes this year than last year in Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes, State Police records show.In Terrebonne Parish, there were 14 fatal crashes that killed 15 people, up from the 10 wrecks and 12 deaths of 2011. In Lafourche Parish, there were 16 fatal crashes that killed 17 people, up from last year’s 14 crashes and 14 deaths.In all, there were 41 fatal crashes and 43 deaths in the area covered by State Police Troop C, which includes all of Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes and parts of Assumption, St. James and St. John parishes.Troop C spokesman Evan Harrell said state figures haven’t been officially tallied yet, but officials expect the overall number of fatalities to decrease for the fifth year in a row. So, though individual parish numbers fluctuated, the larger trend is still positive. “Overall we’re happy to see the numbers continuing to go down,” Harrell said. “It seems that efforts to educate people on driving safety are working.”Of the 41 fatal crashes in the area, 15 involved alcohol, records show. Alcohol tests are still pending or alcohol use is unknown in another eight crashes.Of the 43 people killed, 13 were not wearing their seat belts, State Police said.The vast majority of the crashes killed drivers, though five pedestrians and seven passengers also died.Final national figures also aren’t available for how many fatal crashes occurred in 2012, but earlier statistics suggest the number of deadly wrecks rose throughout the country. By September, 25,580 people had died on U.S. roads, up 7.1 percent from last year, according to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.The study’s authors pointed out that one year’s increase should not be cause for alarm — more drivers drove more total miles this year than last year. “It is too soon to speculate on the contributing factors or potential implications of any increase in deaths on our roadways,” they wrote. “It should be noted that the historic downward trend in traffic fatalities in the past several years means any comparison will be to an unprecedented low baseline figure.”The numbers for 2011, the authors said, are the lowest reported in 60 years. The last local person to die in a crash was Gaspard Brazan of Vacherie, who was struck by an 18-wheeler Dec. 14 while chasing after his dog.

Staff Writer Matthew Albright can be reached at 448-7635 or at matthew.albright@dailycomet.com.